Mapping the Design journey

Bing unveiled the National Geographic iPhone App, that has 7 million place listings. Now that is simply outstanding. The App also offers iPhone users the ability to “view 7 different levels of cartography, 3 maps styles and the ability to find locations around the world…” This application does not use Google Maps but uses Bing Maps Platform as the integrated mapping service. Many companies are switching over to Bing. And soon we will see Bing as the preferred search engine.

National Geographic lists the features of this new App. on its site. The App offers some very cool things. Check out the features below:

High resolution National Geographic cartography, the same used to print our award-winning wall maps and bound atlases!

“• Preloaded with 3 different styles of world maps, down to country detail. Additional detailed zoom levels and Microsoft Bing maps require internet connection to view. Map Library feature allows you to download and save National Geographic maps for faster access and offline use.

• Easy-to-use and fast place name search tool, with over 6 million database entries (major cities index is preloaded; full search requires internet or cell connection).

We told you the story of José Luis Rodriguez and the storybook wolf – How the photographers award was revoked after he won the 2009 contest. We feel that the judges should have checked properly before they made their decision and we sympathize with the photographer. However, the prestigious Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award 2010 is now open for entries. Apply now and maybe you could be the winner of 10,00 GBP (approximately $16,600) and be featured in the Museums galleries and brochures.

This years competition is called the ‘Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year’. To enter the competition you are required to have the following:

your images in JPEG/JPG format sized at 1400 pixels on the longest dimension

a valid email address

your credit/debit card details if you are entering the Adult competition

Every year the UK National History Museum organizes the National History Museum Wild Life Photographer of the Year award every year. The winner of the Contest is awarded 10,000 GBP approximately $16,600. This years contest had 43,000 entries and the photograph of the wolf jumping over the fence won!!! No doubt the photograph is incredible. I mean it’s not everyday that one sees a wolf jumping over the fence. Recently, the judges found out the photograph is a fake and want to revoke the award from Photographer Jose Luis Rodriguez.

The photograph is called the storybook wolf and honestly it is a very neat photograph. The photographer must have spent hours perfecting this piece on Photoshop. But sadly, the Jurors have confirmed that they will revoke the prize from Jose Luis Rodriguez. The wolf depicted in the photograph is not real. According to the Jurors claim it is a wildlife model that was posed over the fence and then the photographed. It wasn’t spontaneous like the jurors originally thought.

The Jurors state that, ” It saddens us to confirm that after a careful and thorough investigation into the image, the storybook wolf, the co-owners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide have disqualified the winning entry of the photographer José Luis Rodríguez. The judging panel was reconvened and concluded that it was likely that the wolf featured in the image was an animal model that can be hired for photographic purposes and, as a result, that the image had been entered in breach of Rule 10 of the 2009 Competition. The judging panel looked at a range of evidence and took specialist advice from panel judges who have extensive experience of photographing wildlife including wolves. They also considered the responses to specific questions put to the photographer José Luis Rodriguez. The competition rules clearly state that photographs of animal models may not be entered into the competition and that images will be disqualified if they are entered in breach of Rule 10. Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition rules are available to all entrants including versions translated into several languages.”

Reports suggest that Rodriguez denies that the wolf is a model. He claims that it is a real wolf jumping over the fence but experts have claimed that this is not possible. Experts have revealed that in most cases a wolf never jumps over a fence that has gaps that big. It would prefer to sneak through those gaps. No matter what the logic behind their judgment it’s still sad to see such a marvelous piece of art lose it’s standing.

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Sun Zaccur is a Designer, Brand strategist and Tech Blogger. She has experience of working as the Editor-in-chief for Amvona.com and is the Boston Technology Examiner for Examiner.com. This Blog provides an insight into Sun's work.